USC ousts Wildcats

LOS ANGELES — The University of New Hampshire’s trip to the NCAA Division I volleyball tournament was a 3-0 first-round loss Thursday night at the University of Southern California.

The Wildcats (26-6), champions of America East, lost 25-9, 25-10 and 25-12.

Taylor Dunklau had 13 assists and five digs to lead UNH, while Morgan Thatcher had eight kills and Madison Lightfoot added six digs. No. 6 USC is 21-12.

Exactly 10 years ago, on Dec. 5, 2003, the Wildcats also faced the Trojans in the first round of the NCAA tournament. USC claimed a 3-0 sweet (30-17, 30-18, 30-17) en route to winning the second of back-to-back national crowns.